Effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy in Pregnant Women With a History of Pregnancy Loss/Complication

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The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of experiencing a previous pregnancy loss or complication on current physiological and emotional aspects of a current pregnancy.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

Post-traumatic Stress DisorderStress DisordersAnxietyDepression

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing TherapyBehavioral: Waitlist Placebo

Detailed Description:

This study will assess the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) among women who are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or anxiety relating to a previous pregnancy loss or complication. Lastly, this study includes an option to participate in a procedure whereas startle response will be measured using the eyeblink reflex twice during pregnancy and once in the postpartum period. Startle response is examined using a standard acoustic startle procedure whereby heart rate, skin temperature and eye blinking reflex are measured.

Participants are seen weekly for six weeks for therapy. At visits 2, 4, and 6 they also complete ratings.

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy

CPT utilizes a combination of a) exposure therapy aimed at extinguishing fear and distress induced by memories and external cues associated with the trauma, and b) cognitive behavioral techniques that address faulty thinking patterns developed to promote a sense of control over possible future traumas, but that instead perpetuate PTSD symptoms. In CPT, exposure to the traumatic memory occurs through writing and reading for periods of time determined by the client and is confined to the week of the 4th and 5th sessions. These sessions are otherwise used to identify "stuck-points", i.e., distorted interpretations regarding the trauma and unrealistic beliefs regarding self and others.

Placebo Comparator: Waitlist

Participants come in at the end of weeks 2, 4, and 6 to complete ratings but do not receive therapy.

CPT Effectiveness as Determined by the Number of Participants With CAPS Score Decrease of 50% From Baseline to Week 6 [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]

The CAPS will be used in the diagnosis of PTSD, assessment of the impact of symptoms on function, assessment of the severity of symptoms at baseline, and weekly throughout the study. The CAPS in this particular study must decrease by 50% for CPT to be deemed effective.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 49 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Meet DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for full PTSD or partial PTSD.

Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score of ≥18.

Gestational age at the time of presentation is between 8 and 30 weeks.

History of at least one of the following: previous pregnancy loss or losses, voluntary termination due to fetal anomaly, obstetrical complication including childbirth, premature birth (<32 weeks), unexpected neonatal complication, emergency C-section, neonatal death within 28 days of delivery.

Presence of any comorbid Axis I or Axis II (as determined using the SCID-II (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV)) disorder, which would require immediate treatment or renders the subject clinically unsuitable for this RTC (randomized clinical trial).

History of PTSD due to a NON-Pregnancy related traumatic event.

Presence of a known abnormality in the present fetus.

Presence of a serious medical or neurological illness.

Starting a new psychotropic agent within the previous 3 months.

Assessed to require a new psychotropic medication at the screening appointment or an adjustment in current dose of psychotropic medication.